About Aiden
Ricky and I welcomed our 2nd baby boy on Monday, February 11, 2008. When Aiden was born, we noticed something didn't look quite right with his hands and feet. The NICU doctor who was present in the room because of Aiden's 5.5 week early arrival immediately came to my bedside and said that Aiden had something called Apert Syndrome. She said she would explain everything to us once they got his breathing under control, but that in a nutshell, this very rare craniofacial condition caused deformities in babies hands and feet, and some potential problems with the way the brain grows.
At birth, Aiden's hands looked as if they were in little fists. His fingers and toes were fused together, however the bone structure for each and every finger and toe were there, just underneath some skin. In addition, one or many of the sutures of the
At birth, Aiden's hands looked as if they were in little fists. His fingers and toes were fused together, however the bone structure for each and every finger and toe were there, just underneath some skin. In addition, one or many of the sutures of the
skull that are supposed to slowly close after birth as the brain grows are often times fused prematurely in babies with Apert Syndrome.
After some examination the doctors determined that Aiden's front coronal suture was in fact fused. We were relieved to find out, however, that many of the other problematic characterisitics that can be associated with this condition were not plaguing our little guy: a head ultrasound showed that all sections of his brain were there, the right size and look good; a stomach ultrasound showed that his internal organs were all in perfect condition (some babies with Aperts have significant problems with their internal organs); and a pediatric cardiologist confirmed that aside from an innocent murmur, there was no damage to his heart.
Apert Syndrome was not a result of him being early, rather it was a spontaneous mutation of a chromosome during the early stages of my pregnancy. This is not caused by anything that either Ricky or I did. It happens to 1 in 160,ooo to 200,000 pregnancies.
Ricky and I spent the first two weeks of Aiden's life visiting him in the NICU and adjusting to the demands of having two children under the age of two years old. It was a very difficult time for us, but we received so many heartfelt prayers, phone calls and emails letting us know people were thinking of us.
During the first two weeks, we also began researching Aiden's treatment options. We spared no expense trying to figure out where the best place was to have Aiden cared for, as we knew he required numerous surgeries in the months and years to come. After visiting several craniofacial clinics in the midwest, we were put in touch with a team in Dallas, Texas headed up by Dr. Jeffrey Fearon. One visit to Texas later, we knew Aiden belonged in his care.
The first year of Aiden's life was one riddled with doctors visits, tests, surgeries, and therapies, but he made it through with flying colors. He underwent his first surgery at 9 months old to seperate his fingers and toes. He also had his tonsils and adenoids removed at that time to remedy some breathing issues. The second phase of the finger and toe release was done just 3 months later, a few weeks shy of his first birthday. And finally, in May 2009 he underwent a posterior cranial vault to expand the fused suture in his skull allowing more room for his brain to grow.
We are looking forward to enjoying the next few years surgery free - however he will need several more procedures over the course of the next 10-15 years. Aiden has taught us so much in the short time he has been a part of our family. We feel very blessed that God has chosen us as Aiden's parents and it is our mission to give him, as well as his big brother Ethan, the best life that we can.
You can read more about our daily life and details about each of the surgeries Aiden has had to date on our family website: www.theskeesfamily.com.
After some examination the doctors determined that Aiden's front coronal suture was in fact fused. We were relieved to find out, however, that many of the other problematic characterisitics that can be associated with this condition were not plaguing our little guy: a head ultrasound showed that all sections of his brain were there, the right size and look good; a stomach ultrasound showed that his internal organs were all in perfect condition (some babies with Aperts have significant problems with their internal organs); and a pediatric cardiologist confirmed that aside from an innocent murmur, there was no damage to his heart.
Apert Syndrome was not a result of him being early, rather it was a spontaneous mutation of a chromosome during the early stages of my pregnancy. This is not caused by anything that either Ricky or I did. It happens to 1 in 160,ooo to 200,000 pregnancies.
Ricky and I spent the first two weeks of Aiden's life visiting him in the NICU and adjusting to the demands of having two children under the age of two years old. It was a very difficult time for us, but we received so many heartfelt prayers, phone calls and emails letting us know people were thinking of us.
During the first two weeks, we also began researching Aiden's treatment options. We spared no expense trying to figure out where the best place was to have Aiden cared for, as we knew he required numerous surgeries in the months and years to come. After visiting several craniofacial clinics in the midwest, we were put in touch with a team in Dallas, Texas headed up by Dr. Jeffrey Fearon. One visit to Texas later, we knew Aiden belonged in his care.
The first year of Aiden's life was one riddled with doctors visits, tests, surgeries, and therapies, but he made it through with flying colors. He underwent his first surgery at 9 months old to seperate his fingers and toes. He also had his tonsils and adenoids removed at that time to remedy some breathing issues. The second phase of the finger and toe release was done just 3 months later, a few weeks shy of his first birthday. And finally, in May 2009 he underwent a posterior cranial vault to expand the fused suture in his skull allowing more room for his brain to grow.
We are looking forward to enjoying the next few years surgery free - however he will need several more procedures over the course of the next 10-15 years. Aiden has taught us so much in the short time he has been a part of our family. We feel very blessed that God has chosen us as Aiden's parents and it is our mission to give him, as well as his big brother Ethan, the best life that we can.
You can read more about our daily life and details about each of the surgeries Aiden has had to date on our family website: www.theskeesfamily.com.
